The Sunday Slate (Week Seven): Find Some Magic

Posted: Oct 19, 2008

With only four games worthy of interest and two teams off (Atlanta and Jacksonville), we are looking for a little magic in our Sunday Slate.

The NFL usually provides a few unexpected surprises. Maybe this is that week. It certainly won't be hard with entertaiment expectations down.

As Always, SPF teams in CAPS with (Week 6's T.I. Poll Ranking)

NEW ORLEANS (8) @ CAROLINA (8) - This is our Swampland Showdown game of the week. It gets no easier for Carolina who must win this game after losing in blow out fashion to the Bucs in Tampa. Wait! This is also a must win for the Saints who appear to lead the NFC South in talent but trail both the Panthers and the Bucs by a game.

Someone will walk away with a very unhappy loss.

DALLAS (2) @ ST. LOUIS (12) - Our second and final Swampland Showdown is a battle of soap opera teams. The Cowboys are dealing poorly with their early season riches and must bounce back with a gimpy, or perhaps sidelined QB.

The Rams are just a disaster that somehow found a little life by winning in Washington last week.

Jim Haslett is truly coaching for his long term career. He may never get another head coaching job if he can't continue to show results like last week. Expect him to blitz whichever QB starts for the Cowboys. He won't be afraid to take risks.

SPF expects this game to be much closer than it should be.

Baltimore @ MIAMI (7) - Baltimore took Tennessee to the brink and then laid a complete egg against the Colts. The Dolphins' players claim to be taking exception to their former coach, now OC in Baltimore, Cam Cameron. Current Ravens coach John Harbaugh has made statements that Cam lacked talent in Miami.

The Dolphins should take this personally. Cameron presided over the worst season in Dolphins history and was almost responsible for erasing this storied franchise's winning legacy.

Cleveland @ WASHINGTON (4) - Cleveland is healthy, and Washington looks a little less magical. Another home loss would be difficult to bear, and the Browns have a lot of firepower to throw at the Redskins.

The Redskins have surprised, in both good and bad ways, all year long. SPF won't be surprised to see them drop their second in a row.

INDIANAPOLIS (3) @ Green Bay - What should have been a magical meeting has been somewhat tempered by the lack of Brett Favre and the Colts early season stumbles. The Bucs and the Falcons have already shown the blueprint for beating the suddenly average Packers. Lambeau's home cooking isn't quite as tasty since their star "left" for the Big Apple.

The Colts are facing a team with a rattled psyche. If they beat them down early, they can likely coast to victory.

Seattle @ TAMPA BAY (5) - Don't let up! The NFL offers few easy wins. Take them while you have them.

Detroit @ HOUSTON (11) - Ok, Houston. Let's show that you aren't a doormat. You have a winless team at home.

Would it be possible to justify a loss to the Lions? We hope for the fans in Houston that Bob McNair won't be forced to do so.

TENNESSEE (1) @ Kansas City - Tennessee may be #1, but they drew a horrid matchup to try and watch. Like Tampa, they need to shut their opponent down and then out in a hurry. This might be a good time to get VY a few reps.

Pittsburgh @ CINCINNATI (13) - Old rivals, but only in the minds of Bengals fans. Cincy hasn't beaten the Steelers in eons. Caught between Pittsburgh and Cleveland, the Bengals still search for sustained success.

It won't happen this week or this year.